Pesa Dart on test

POLAND: Pesa’s first Dart electric multiple-unit has started dynamic testing on the line between Bydgoszcz and Warlubie to the northeast.

The EMU achieved its maximum speed of 160 km/h on May 21 and the following day was transported to Żmigród for further testing at the Railway Institute.

Pesa is to supply 20 of the long-distance EMUs to PKP Intercity by the end of October, under a 1·3bn złoty contract announced in February 2014 which includes 15 years of servicing. The manufacturer currently has 10 units in production at its factory in Bydgoszcz.

The eight-car EMUs are 150 m long with 352 seats, including 60 in first class, six toilets and space for six bicycles.

The units are due to enter passenger service from the December timetable change. They are to be used on the Jelenia Góra – Wrocław – Łódź – Warszawa – Białystok/Lublin and the Białystok/Lublin – Warszawa – Koluszki – Częstochowa – Katowice – Bielsko Biała routes.